end up accomplishing is making myself feel even worse when I’m already low; it would be better if I read lighter fare when I’m down, but for some odd reason I don’t.
It’s still relatively early, only 7:45pm, but I’m exhausted, and it’s not twenty minutes later before the lights are off; I just can’t keep my eyes open any longer.
Unexpectedly, however, the very moment I switch off my light the doorbell rings.
I roll out of bed and straighten myself before turning the light back on. Who could it be at this time of night?
It must be Clif…who else could it possibly be? A cold shock runs down my body. I take a deep breath and walk towards the door, my heart pounding.
"Noah??!"
"Hey, beautiful. Sorry I haven't called. I finally got some days off and I wanted to surprise you."
He holds out flowers.
"Oh my God! Well…surprise me you did!" I catch myself smiling. I lean in for a hug then hold him out at arm’s length to give him a good once over. He looks...different. No. He looks better. "Come in, come in. Get out of the cold. How did you find me?"
“Laurie—she had your Jackson address. But even if she didn’t I still would’ve come, it just wouldn’t have been as much of a surprise.”
“Sure, I gave her my address in case something important came in the mail. How was your trip out? Take a seat while I throw some clothes on. We’ll go grab a quick drink.”
A half hour later and I’m newly energized, sitting down for a late-night bite at one of Jackson's nicest restaurants. The wine prices are exorbitant, and I say as much.
"Don't worry about it," Noah says, pushing up his glasses. "I'm taking you out. It's on me."
"So they must be treating you pretty well in Hollywood, huh?"
"Yeah, I'd say so," he grins. I like Noah's new look: he's not as scruffy, a little more polished. And his body posture seems more mature, a little more upright. His bushy blond beard is neatly trimmed now and his hair is shorter, too, combed to the side. He's wearing new glasses, and they look sharper than his old oversized, plastic-rimmed hipster ones. He's a director now. It’s amazing how much he’s changed.
But enough on observations and small talk—I want to know what’s really on his mind—such as, are we getting back together or not? I lower my voice and look him straight in the eye, "So Noah, tell my why you came? Why after all this time? I thought you dropped off the face of the planet. It was driving me crazy. I’ve missed you so much."
"Babe, I'm sorry. I'm sorry I haven't called. I’ve just been so busy with everything, it’s been insane. Hollywood is a whole different world; it's not like the little projects I directed before. I wake up every day wondering if I can handle it, and go to bed totally depleted. The pressure on set is unbelievable. And not just the work, but the social obligations I also have now. I don't know. I'm out of my league." He shakes his head.
"Oh, baby." I reach across the table and cup one of his hands in mine. Truth be told, I never thought he was someone who could make it as a high-powered director; I can understand how he might feel somewhat overwhelmed in such a fast-paced environment. Over the years I had always hoped he'd find some kind of job in video production, something just creative enough to keep him happy, but also well-paying enough so that he wouldn't have to work at the coffee shop. But he kept plugging away at his little movies. I'm smiling now. This is so great for him. "I'm so happy you found your big break and that it's working out."
The single appetizer we ordered comes, along with the wine. Noah takes a big gulp from his glass.
"God. It feels good to be away from it all for a few days. How about you, Katie? What have you been up to?"
I tell him about work, leaving Clif entirely out of the story. I feel guilty about editing the truth, but Noah and I aren't really together anymore, so it doesn't matter. After a couple more glasses of wine we're
It’s still relatively early, only 7:45pm, but I’m exhausted, and it’s not twenty minutes later before the lights are off; I just can’t keep my eyes open any longer.
Unexpectedly, however, the very moment I switch off my light the doorbell rings.
I roll out of bed and straighten myself before turning the light back on. Who could it be at this time of night?
It must be Clif…who else could it possibly be? A cold shock runs down my body. I take a deep breath and walk towards the door, my heart pounding.
"Noah??!"
"Hey, beautiful. Sorry I haven't called. I finally got some days off and I wanted to surprise you."
He holds out flowers.
"Oh my God! Well…surprise me you did!" I catch myself smiling. I lean in for a hug then hold him out at arm’s length to give him a good once over. He looks...different. No. He looks better. "Come in, come in. Get out of the cold. How did you find me?"
“Laurie—she had your Jackson address. But even if she didn’t I still would’ve come, it just wouldn’t have been as much of a surprise.”
“Sure, I gave her my address in case something important came in the mail. How was your trip out? Take a seat while I throw some clothes on. We’ll go grab a quick drink.”
A half hour later and I’m newly energized, sitting down for a late-night bite at one of Jackson's nicest restaurants. The wine prices are exorbitant, and I say as much.
"Don't worry about it," Noah says, pushing up his glasses. "I'm taking you out. It's on me."
"So they must be treating you pretty well in Hollywood, huh?"
"Yeah, I'd say so," he grins. I like Noah's new look: he's not as scruffy, a little more polished. And his body posture seems more mature, a little more upright. His bushy blond beard is neatly trimmed now and his hair is shorter, too, combed to the side. He's wearing new glasses, and they look sharper than his old oversized, plastic-rimmed hipster ones. He's a director now. It’s amazing how much he’s changed.
But enough on observations and small talk—I want to know what’s really on his mind—such as, are we getting back together or not? I lower my voice and look him straight in the eye, "So Noah, tell my why you came? Why after all this time? I thought you dropped off the face of the planet. It was driving me crazy. I’ve missed you so much."
"Babe, I'm sorry. I'm sorry I haven't called. I’ve just been so busy with everything, it’s been insane. Hollywood is a whole different world; it's not like the little projects I directed before. I wake up every day wondering if I can handle it, and go to bed totally depleted. The pressure on set is unbelievable. And not just the work, but the social obligations I also have now. I don't know. I'm out of my league." He shakes his head.
"Oh, baby." I reach across the table and cup one of his hands in mine. Truth be told, I never thought he was someone who could make it as a high-powered director; I can understand how he might feel somewhat overwhelmed in such a fast-paced environment. Over the years I had always hoped he'd find some kind of job in video production, something just creative enough to keep him happy, but also well-paying enough so that he wouldn't have to work at the coffee shop. But he kept plugging away at his little movies. I'm smiling now. This is so great for him. "I'm so happy you found your big break and that it's working out."
The single appetizer we ordered comes, along with the wine. Noah takes a big gulp from his glass.
"God. It feels good to be away from it all for a few days. How about you, Katie? What have you been up to?"
I tell him about work, leaving Clif entirely out of the story. I feel guilty about editing the truth, but Noah and I aren't really together anymore, so it doesn't matter. After a couple more glasses of wine we're
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